BREAKING AND HANDLING. 253 



will not permit the handler to walk close to him while he is 

 pointing, both the spike collar and checkcord may be left 

 on him. To relieve his neck of any undue pressure from 

 the weight and friction of the checkcord, tie it to the ring 

 of the kennel collar with an ordinary piece of twine, leav- 

 ing a section of the checkcord about six inches long between ' 

 the two collars; this will then throw the strain on the kennel 

 collar, yet when he chases and is snubbed, the string breaks, 

 and the spike collar then pinches. Pull him back to his 

 place with the checkcord, and make him remain steady for 

 several minutes. If he still persists, the method is still 

 more simple and direct. Go afield with a friend who has a 

 steady, reliable dog. Leave your own gun at home start 

 with the intention of devoting a full day to dog training, if 

 necessary. Put the spike 'collar and checkcord on your 

 dog, and keep the checkcord in hand. When your friend's 

 dog points, give your dog as favorable an opportunity to 

 break shot as possible. At the report of the gun or rise of 

 the bird, let him go to the full length of the checkcord; 

 pull him back to place; make him drop, then apply the 

 whip according to requirements. If he shows any hesita- 

 tion to break, encourage him to do so, let him have his own 

 way, but apply the punishment at every repetition. No dog, 

 however determined, will persist in breaking shot during a 

 whole day under such treatment if birds are plentiful, nor 

 will it soon be forgotten. This method will cure the worst 

 cases. 



